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What is a Powerful Résumé?

Based on Powerful Writing:

Powerful writing is writing of any kind that accomplishes something, that gets through, that works. It’s a handshake between friends, an instant of connection and understanding. You can find powerful writing in…resumes…Powerful writing changes things—for a person, a classroom, a country; a planet. (Word Up! Marcia Riefer Johnston, p. 2.)

A powerful résumé creates that instant connection and understanding between you and your prospective boss, client, or network contact.

1. Action Words

Use dynamic words. Eliminate clichés.

Change this: Effectively developed customer base through prospecting and networking

to this: Grew territory revenue by 10% per year for five years.

2. State Specifics

Use statistics.

Change this: Managed all of payroll for multi-state offices

to this: Managed payroll for 10,000 employees in 10 states.

3. Show Who You Are

Let your personality shine!

I love to problem-solve and find creative solutions for my clients.

I thrive in the fast-paced healthcare environment.

I customize treatment plans based on the patient’s level of understanding.

“Sure! When it’s in final form, send it to me and I’ll spend about 15 minutes reviewing; no charge.”

“Fifteen minutes? Is that enough to review the detail?”

“No. However, I’ll give you an idea of what technical details might need attention.”

“OK! Deal!”

You probably agree with my friend that 15 minutes isn’t enough time to review the résumé. But it’s a lot longer than what happens in real life! In real life, your résumé may only get a six-second review! (See The Ladder Study.) Sometimes, a hiring manager does a 30-second review. And based on that review, you’re either in the running…or not.

Résumé as Self-Portrait

View the résumé in full page mode. What do your eyes see first? What do you want your audience to focus on? From my point of view, I want my audience to see my name clearly, in the center. And I want white space—space between headings and text, in the margins—that makes the résumé easy to read.

Consistent Font

Type Face; examples: Times New Roman, Arial, Tahoma

Point Size: While 10-point size squeezes a lot of information on the page, the crowded page is hard to read